UP: Dalit Man Assaulted and Paraded; Counter FIR Alleges Forced Religious Conversion
In a disturbing incident from Behlopur Alai village, Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh, a 47-year-old Dalit man named Shivbadan was allegedly assaulted, paraded with a shaved head, and forced to chant religious hymns by a group of villagers. The incident reportedly took place on December 26th.
Allegations by Shivbadan
According to Shivbadan, who is currently out on bail in a two-year-old anti-conversion case, he was attacked by a group of upper-caste men, allegedly led by Rohit Dixit, Lavlesh Singh, and Somkaran. Shivbadan claims the attack stemmed from his conversion to Christianity two years ago, and the group wanted to "teach him a lesson" for practicing his faith.
Shivbadan described the incidents in detail in his complaint:
On December 26th, while he was at a village crossing, some individuals associated with Bajrang Dal reportedly made comments threatening him.
The following morning, a group of men allegedly attacked him and his family at their home.
He was dragged to a temple, where his head was forcibly shaved, and he was made to chant the Hanuman Chalisa.
After being physically assaulted again, he was paraded around the village.
Police Action and Counter FIR
The police have registered an FIR against the named individuals — Rohit Dixit, Lavlesh Singh, and Somkaran — along with other unidentified persons, based on Shivbadan's complaint.
However, a counter FIR has also been filed against Shivbadan and three others — Ram Bahadur, Santosh, and Shivpal Paswan — based on a complaint by Rohit Dixit. Rohit alleged that Shivbadan and his associates approached him with offers of financial aid and employment opportunities in exchange for converting to Christianity. Rohit claims he was threatened when he refused.
Official Police Statement
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vijay Shankar Mishra stated, "We have registered FIRs based on complaints from both parties. An impartial investigation is underway, and appropriate action will follow based on evidence."
Community Reactions
While Shivbadan insists that the counter FIR is fabricated to pressure him, Virendra Pandey, VHP’s Prant Vice-President, denied the involvement of Bajrang Dal members, claiming the matter was a dispute among villagers.
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with either FIR. Authorities have assured a thorough investigation to uncover the facts and ensure justice.
The incident highlights ongoing social and religious tensions in rural areas, raising concerns about safety, justice, and religious freedom in the region. Further updates are awaited as the investigation progresses.